Gaining and Sustaining Peace

Submitted by Katy on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 11:46am

Gaining and Sustaining Peace

How do you gain peace and sustain it? Maybe if I lived on the beach and every morning I could watch the sunrise glisten on the waters, I would have peace. Or perhaps if I had no struggles or temptations, my heart would abide in peace. But the battle between good versus evil rages on, and no life on earth is free from struggles and temptations. Even the beach has its storms and hurricanes.

Jesus assured us that although we would have adversity in the world, we could have His peace. He said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NKJV). Jesus’ victory over the world means victory for us. In Jesus, we can have victory over anxiety, worry, trials, and temptations.

We can appropriate this victory and gain peace by depending on God and staying close to Him. We have peace when we join ourselves to God.

“A resource that relieves the soul, peace is an inner stability and strength that comes from counting on God to take care of us and from remembering that He is in control of all things. The root word of the definition of peace means ‘to join.’1 When we join ourselves to God, we can rest in His comforting presence, trust in His perfect power, and rely on His supreme goodness. Growing in our closeness to Him and in our knowledge of who He is, brings a calmness to our hearts when the storms of life rage around us. When dangers and distractions tempt us to be anxious, God’s peace gives us a confidence to keep moving forward.”

- 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory, p.12

Stay close. Drawing close to God dissolves the “ickies”—those gloomy things that steal our peace and replace it with anxiety and despair. God’s love chases away sadness. The hope He gives reminds us that good things are coming. His plan gives our lives purpose and energy. His power protects us and limits what Satan and the world can do to us. His grace enables us to win our spiritual struggles and battles. His joy sustains us when we feel like giving up.

Join your heart to God’s. Know Him, love Him, and abide in fellowship with Him. When we keep our souls close to God, He will be our shelter, victory, and peace.

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).

Discussion Point: Has drawing close to God ever brought you peace? What difference do you think staying close to God makes in our lives?

Comments (10)

Here is what I got out of this: We go about our daily lives hanging on to things that gives us joy. We reside in things that give us comfort and stabilty. In reality, the true sustaining peace is found only in the heavenly Father.
Loved the way Katy brings you out of your seat and onto the shores of a white sandy beach. She uses this picture as a dramatic visual aid to help enhance the meaning and purpose behind her blog. Keep up the good works.
Your sister-in-christ,
Amanda Jones

Amanda, I like how you brought out that the peace which lasts comes from God. He does give joy when other things we depend on crumble. I'm glad you found the picture inspiring. I certainly did. Thanks for reading and commenting, Katy

Katy Thank You for this! it came at a time that I really needed it. So many times I find myself not resting in the Lord and what he has for me and it causes me to be anxious for things. And also I realize that when not abiding in Him and focusing on the things that I may want or need I am more vulnerable to spiritual attack. John 16:33 is one of my favorite verses in the bible because it is so reassuring that when things can be a complete disaster I can still have peace because Jesus has overcome it already. God really spoke to me through this!

Kayla, I relate to what you're saying about when we focus on things we want or need and get stuck there, we don't find peace and we can be attacked spiritually. Definitely been there recently! Resting in the Lord must mean that we trust Him, and not get anxious trying to do things ourselves. I love John 16:33, too. Jesus is the Champion!

Katy, this is amazing. With everything I am going through at first I second guess my faith, but then I realized God has a purpose for this. I learned I need to have peace to overcome this, and the verse that has really helped me was Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It teaches me I can do anything with Christ's help.

That's a cool point, Kim. Remembering that God has a purpose for difficult things brings peace. I am praying for you, and I find Philippians 4:13 comforting. Christ is with us to give us strength for everything we face. Praying His strength for you!

Dear Katy,
I did not know the root meaning of peace was joined to. I love that and just that little definition cast a completely new light on peace with God. Beautiful blog. Thank you for enlarging my vision.
Love,
Margie Houmes